I walk everywhere I can here in Beijing. My feet have slowly adjusted to the walking, but they still can ache after walking on the concrete. I’ve come to enjoy the evening foot massage that I give myself with this cream.
The menthol crystals give the cream a light tingle and cooling effect after the application. Let’s check the other ingredients I used.
I used Peach Kernel Oil* because I enjoy the feel of this light weight oil. It can contribute a dewy finish to any lotion or cream.
Since I’m planning on making a thick foot cream, I picked High Melt Point Shea Butter for giving the cream body. I love the thickness that this butter contributes to the cream.
Lanolin is a nice ingredient as it helps keep skin keep skin moisturized by creating a barrier on the skin.
Emulsifying Wax and Stearic Acid are needed to emulsify the oils with water and thicken the cream.
I decided to use Hydrovance as my humectant for the long term moisturizing. You can use any humectant, so don’t feel limited by my choice!
Calendula Extract is a great choice for its noted abilities to combat dry and scaly skin. Just what is needed for pampering feet!
Let’s go make a lovely foot cream!
SUPPLIES
IngredientsWater |
EquipmentScale |
RECIPE
Percentages
60% Water
12.5% Peach Kernel Oil*
10% High Melt Point Shea Butter
5% Emulsifying Wax
4% Lanolin
3% Stearic Acid
3% Hydrovance
3% Calendula Extract
0.5% Liquid Germall Plus Preservative
0.5% Peppermint Essential Oil
0.5% Menthol Crystal
8 ounces4.8 ounces Distilled Water |
100-gram Test Batch60 grams Distilled Water |
INSTRUCTIONS
Weigh all ingredients except the additives (Calendula Extract, Peppermint Essential Oil, Menthol Crystals, and Liquid Germall Plus) into a microwave-safe container. Heat in the microwave using short time bursts until everything is melted.
Blend the ingredients to a smooth, creamy consistency using an immersion blender.
Add the additives once the temperature drops to approximately 120° F in the mixing bucket. Stir gently until completely mixed. Pour into containers and allow to cool completely before capping and labeling.
 Weighing the ingredients. |
 Melted ingredients before mixing. |
 Cooled cream in jars. |
 The cooled cream on my finger. |
NOTES
I like this foot cream! I have already gone through a batch for my feet as well as Jerry’s. This heavy foot cream is thick and best applied when you can put socks and then let the cream soak into your feet. Apply this for three days and I think you will feel (and see) softer feet!
*Peach Kernel Oil is no longer available, but Apricot Kernel Oil is a suitable substitute.
I have found that wearing socks to bed after lotion or creams is the best way to keep your feet soft, I especially do it in the summer as I wear sandals all the time and that makes my feet sooooo dry. I will have to try this recipe!!!
This sounds very soothing! I’m pondering a foot cream using my goat milk. I’ll have to save this post for inspiration!
Andee- looks so yummy! But why add the water? It isn’t necessary for whipped lotions and water just increases the likelihood of mold in the lotion and the need for increased amounts of “germall” type chemicals. I always leave the water out. 🙂
Water is very effective at helping to increase moisture in the skin. I can’t think of a better ingredient than water. I think making my own lotions is preferable to buying things I don’t understand. Even preservatives have a place in life. Many things undesirable in large quantity can be quote useful in low concentrations. Lead, mercury, aluminum and zinc are just a few things I can think of that cause problems outside their best uses. Even dog poop supplies a food source to soil borne microorganisms.
You can make lotions without preservatives. Just make them every day or so. Whipped butters can not be applied in the same way as a lotion or do they have the same affect on the skin.
Sounds like a wonderful cream. I will have to try this one. Wondering if you don’t have to add the menthol crystals while still warmer than 120 degrees to get them to melt? I don’t have much experience using them yet, so am simply curious about this.
Oh my goodness! You are right, the Menthol Crystals should be added after all the ingredients have been melted and before mixing. This helps prevent fumes that can irritate the eyes.
I wanted to ask Andee about the difference between the Sea Buckthorn lotion, as the comments section is turned off…….Would the oil or the extract be more healing in a lotion or serum? I have the extract and love it, just wondering if I would love the oil the same? If anything, I would probably get some for the color, just love it!!!
You would use the oil and extract in the same way. The oil can be used in the same way as both ingredients contain the parts that are desired. I like both!
My daughter is a long distance runner, who loves a sugar scrub that is not greasy. Is this really greasy. It sounds perfect for her run after The Los Angeles marathon;)
Thanks
Cindee
CreekSide Naturals
I would say that this current recipe is slightly greasy. If you would like to reduce greasiness, I would add 1-2% Dry Flo TS or 2% Isopropyl Myristate. These adjustments can be taken out of the Peach Kernel Oil or water.
What a fun recipe, I really love having minty cremes, especially for my feet because it just makes them feel so good! =)
Question: are you heating both WATER and OIL together?
That sounds much easier than messing with two dishes, two thermometers, etc…I have use double boiler method, no microwave. Thanks again!
Laura,
It is THAT easy. Yes, we always deal in mixing, heating and such in one vessel. For the sizes we show how to make it is horrible to work in phases.
Cheers!
Tina